If you are looking for an easy language to learn to add extra skills to your resume, this article is perfect. Learning a new language is easy but depends on the learning method. If you learn from a native speaker or online then you can easily get fluency in the new language in a short amount of time.
Difficulty level of all languages can vary from person to person based on many factors like your mother tongue, your previous language learning experiences, your motivation, etc.
I will share the 10 Easiest Languages to Learn For English Speakers. You can also learn about the time required to learn each language.
Why Learn a Language: Understanding the benefits of learning a new language can significantly motivate and guide your language-learning journey. Here are some compelling reasons to embrace language learning:
Cultural Appreciation: Gain insights into diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering empathy and global understanding.
Career Advancement: Enhance your professional prospects by unlocking opportunities in international markets and industries.
Cognitive Benefits: Boost memory, multitasking abilities, and problem-solving skills while maintaining brain health.
Personal Growth: Expand your horizons, build confidence, and cultivate lifelong learning habits.
Top 10 Easiest Languages to Learn For English Speakers
Top 10 Easiest Languages to Learn (And How Long It Takes!):
Spanish:
Why It’s Easy: Phonetic spelling, straightforward grammar, and extensive resources.
Why It’s Easy: Similarities to Spanish, phonetic spelling, and straightforward grammar.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 600-750 hours.
French:
Why It’s Easy: Shared vocabulary with English, consistent spelling rules, and global relevance.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 600-750 hours.
Dutch:
Why It’s Easy: Similarities to English, straightforward grammar, and phonetic pronunciation.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 550-600 hours.
Norwegian:
Why It’s Easy: Simplified grammar, phonetic spelling, and mutual intelligibility with other Scandinavian languages.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 550 hours.
Swedish:
Why It’s Easy: Shared roots with English, straightforward grammar, and phonetic pronunciation.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 550 hours.
German:
Why It’s Easy: Structured grammar, consistent spelling rules, and shared vocabulary with English.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 750-900 hours.
Esperanto:
Why It’s Easy: Constructed language with simplified grammar, phonetic spelling, and global community.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 200 hours.
Afrikaans:
Why It’s Easy: Simplified grammar, phonetic pronunciation, and shared vocabulary with Dutch.
Estimated Time Required To Learn: 500 hours.
1. Spanish
Spanish is also known as Castilian. It is a Romance language originating from Vulgar Latin spoken in the Iberian Peninsula. It has 500 million native speakers. It is the world’s second most spoken language and an official language in 20 countries, primarily in Spain and Latin America.
Where is Spanish Spoken? Spanish is primarily spoken in:
Spain: The official language in Spain, with regional variations like Catalan, Galician, and Basque.
Latin America: Widely spoken across countries like Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, and many others.
United States: Significant Spanish-speaking population, especially in states bordering Mexico and urban areas across the country.
How to learn Spanish?
It is easy to learn and you can quickly learn through various ways.
Language courses: Enroll in in-person or online classes offered by language schools, universities, or platforms like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise.
Private tutors: Personalized lessons tailored to your needs and learning pace, provided by dedicated tutors.
Online resources: Free or paid apps and websites like podcasts, videos, games, and interactive exercises keep you engaged and learning.
Language exchange: Connect with native speakers on platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk, practicing conversation and gaining cultural insights.
Immersion: Explore the magic of living in a Spanish-speaking country! Full immersion is an unparalleled way to absorb the language naturally.
Why is Spanish considered easy for English speakers?
For English speakers, Spanish offers several advantages that ease the learning curve:
Similar alphabet: Spanish uses the Latin alphabet, with additional characters like the “ñ.”
Phonetic pronunciation: Generally, Spanish pronunciation follows a consistent “what you see is what you get” rule.
Shared vocabulary: Both languages share numerous words due to common Latin roots, facilitating vocabulary acquisition.
Relatively simple grammar: While nuances exist, Spanish grammar is considered less complex than languages like French or German.
Free resources to jumpstart your Spanish journey:
Duolingo: Fun and gamified lessons to keep you motivated and learning.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with games and spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
BBC Languages – Spanish: Audio, video, and interactive exercises from the BBC, all for free.
SpanishDict: This online dictionary and translator provides free grammar lessons, verb conjugations, and valuable learning tools.
Podcasts en español: Enjoy podcasts on diverse topics, enhancing your listening comprehension and cultural awareness.
2. Italian
Italian also known as “la bella lingua” (the beautiful language), is a Romance language born from Vulgar Latin spoken in the Italian Peninsula. It boasts around 67 million native speakers, primarily residing in Italy and Switzerland.
There are various paths to unlock Italian fluency, from language courses and private tutors to immersive programs, Italian media, and language exchange platforms.
Why is Italian considered easy for English speakers?
For English speakers, Italian offers several advantages that make it a relatively smooth learning experience:
Latin roots: Both languages share a common ancestor in Latin, leading to numerous cognates (words with similar spelling and meaning) such as “amore” (love), “famiglia” (family), and “Libro” (book).
Phonetic pronunciation: Italian pronunciation is generally consistent, making it easier to learn how words sound.
Relatively simple grammar: While Italian grammar has its nuances, it’s considered less complex than languages like French or German.
Positive learning environment: The Italian culture is known for its warmth and encouragement, making the learning process more enjoyable and less intimidating.
Free resources to jumpstart your Italian journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
RaiPlay: Italian state broadcaster offers free access to movies, TV shows, and documentaries with subtitles.
Learn Italian with ItalianPod101: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other Italian learners and native speakers.
3. Portuguese
Portuguese also known as “português”. It is a captivating Romance language born from Vulgar Latin spoken in the Iberian Peninsula. It ranks as the sixth most spoken language in the world and the most spoken in the Southern Hemisphere. Its rich history, distinct dialects, and melodic sounds paint a fascinating linguistic landscape.
Where is Portuguese spoken?
Portuguese isn’t confined to its Iberian origins. Its reach extends across continents, painting a vibrant linguistic map:
Europe: Portugal, of course, is the primary home of Portuguese, with roughly 10 million speakers.
South America: Brazil takes the cake with over 210 million native speakers, making it the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world.
Africa: Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau all have Portuguese as an official language, boasting millions of speakers each.
Asia: East Timor and Macau use Portuguese alongside Tetum and Chinese, respectively, adding to the language’s diverse geographical footprint.
Scattered communities: Portuguese-speaking communities thrive in countries like India, France, the United States, and Canada.
Why is Portuguese considered easy for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning Portuguese:
Latin roots: Both languages share a common ancestor in Latin, leading to numerous cognates (words with similar spelling and meaning) like “amor” (love), “família” (family), and “liberdade” (freedom).
Phonetic pronunciation: Portuguese pronunciation is generally consistent, making it easier to learn how words sound.
Relatively simple grammar: While nuances exist, Portuguese grammar is considered less complex than languages like French or German.
Shared cultural aspects: Similarities in cultural background and historical connections between Portugal and some English-speaking countries can ease the learning process.
Free resources to jumpstart your Portuguese journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
RTP Play: Portuguese state broadcaster offers free access to movies, TV shows, and documentaries with subtitles.
Learn Portuguese with PortuguesePod101: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other Portuguese learners and native speakers.
4. French
French, or “la langue française,” is a Romance language born from Vulgar Latin spoken in Northern Gaul. It has 277 million speakers globally, and it ranks as the fifth most spoken language in the world.
It belongs to the Indo-European language family and shares common Latin roots with other Romance languages. French is known for its melodious sound, rich literary tradition, and global influence.
Learning French opens doors to exploring French literature, cinemas, and engaging with a global Francophone community.
While French grammar has its complexities, it also shares some similarities with English, like the subject-verb-object sentence structure, easing the learning process for English speakers.
What is the French language?
French, or “la langue française,” is a Romance language born from Vulgar Latin spoken in Northern Gaul. With roughly 277 million speakers globally, it ranks as the fifth most spoken language in the world, captivating listeners with its elegant sounds and rich literary heritage.
Where is French spoken?
French transcends its French borders, painting a diverse linguistic map:
Europe
Africa: Countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Morocco all hold French as an official language, with millions of speakers each.
North America: Canada has around 8 million French speakers, while smaller communities thrive in Louisiana and other regions.
Scattered communities: French-speaking communities exist in countries like Switzerland, Belgium, Haiti, and Mauritius, showcasing the language’s global reach
Why is French considered easy for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning French:
Latin roots: Both languages have common words with similar spelling and meaning) like “amour” (love), “famille” (family), and “nature” (nature).
Phonetic pronunciation: While some nuances exist, French pronunciation is generally consistent, making it easier to learn how words sound.
Similar sentence structure: Both French and English follow a subject-verb-object sentence structure, simplifying grammar comprehension.
Exposure to French: English absorbs many French words due to historical and cultural influences, giving you a head start on vocabulary.
Free resources to jumpstart your French journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
France Inter: French national radio station offering news, podcasts, and cultural programs.
Learn French with FrenchPod101: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other French learners and native speakers.
5. Dutch
The Dutch language known as “Nederlands” in Dutch, is a West Germanic language that is primarily spoken in the Netherlands, Belgium (where it is known as Flemish), and Suriname. It is also spoken in parts of France, Germany, and several former Dutch colonies.
Dutch has a similar grammatical structure to other Germanic languages, with a subject-verb-object word order. Its vocabulary has been influenced by various languages, including Latin, French, English, and German, due to historical interactions and trade relations.
Why is Dutch considered easy to learn for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning Dutch:
Germanic roots: Both languages have common words with similar spelling and meaning) like “water” (water), “huis” (house), and “goed” (good).
Phonetic pronunciation: Dutch pronunciation is generally consistent and follows logical rules, making it easier to learn how words sound compared to some other languages.
Relatively simple grammar: Dutch grammar is considered less complex than languages like French or German, especially for English speakers familiar with verb conjugations.
Exposure to Dutch: English borrows some Dutch words, and cultural connections offer familiarity with Dutch sounds and expressions, boosting your learning potential.
Free resources to jumpstart your Dutch journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO): Dutch national broadcaster offering free access to news, podcasts, and cultural programs.
Learn Dutch with DutchPod101: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other Dutch learners and native speakers.
6. Norwegian
Norwegia is known as “norsk” to its speakers. It has 4 million native speakers. Compared to other Germanic languages, Norwegian pronunciation is generally considered more melodic and rhythmic, with an emphasis on pitch and tone. It has some similarities with English, like the subject-verb-object sentence structure, easing the learning curve for English speakers.
Where is Norwegian spoken?
Norwegian reigns supreme in the Scandinavian kingdom:
Norway: Over 5 million native speakers call Norway home, with Bokmål and Nynorsk serving as the two official written standards.
Scattered communities: Norwegian-speaking communities thrive in countries like the United States, Canada, and Argentina, remnants of historical migrations.
Why is Norwegian considered easy to learn for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning Norwegian:
Germanic roots: Both languages have common words with similar spelling and meaning) like “vann” (water), “bok” (book), and “familie” (family).
Phonetic pronunciation: While some nuances exist, Norwegian pronunciation generally follows consistent rules, making it easier to learn how words sound compared to some other languages.
Relatively simple grammar: Compared to other Germanic languages, Norwegian grammar is considered less complex, especially regarding verb conjugations, offering a gentler learning curve.
Exposure to Nordic influences: English adopts some Norwegian words, and cultural connections offer familiarity with Nordic sounds and expressions, boosting your learning potential.
Free resources to jumpstart your Norwegian journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
NRK: Norwegian national broadcaster offering free access to news, podcasts, and cultural programs.
Learn Norwegian with NorwegianPod101: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other Norwegian learners and native speakers.
7. Swedish
Swedish is known as “svenska” by its speakers. Its pronunciation is generally consistent, with clear rules for letter sounds and emphasis on pitch accents, creating a sing-song rhythm.
Swedish grammar has similarities with English, like the subject-verb-object sentence structure, easing the learning curve for English speakers. Learning Swedish is very helpful in understanding other Scandinavian languages like Norwegian and Danish.
Why is Swedish considered easy to learn for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning Swedish:
Germanic roots: Both languages share a common ancestor in Proto-Germanic, leading to numerous cognates (words with similar spelling and meaning) like “vatten” (water), “bok” (book), and “familj” (family).
Phonetic pronunciation: Swedish pronunciation generally follows consistent rules, making it easier to learn how words sound compared to some other languages.
Relatively simple grammar: Compared to other Germanic languages, Swedish grammar is considered less complex, especially regarding verb conjugations, offering a gentler learning curve.
Exposure to Swedish influences: English adopts some Swedish words, and cultural connections offer familiarity with Nordic sounds and expressions, boosting your learning potential.
Free resources to jumpstart your Swedish journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
Sveriges Radio Play: Swedish national radio offering free access to news, podcasts, and cultural programs.
Learn Swedish with SwedishPod101: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other Swedish learners and native speakers.
8. German
It is a West Germanic language primarily spoken in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and parts of Belgium and Italy. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the European Union and has a rich historical and cultural significance.
German grammar is characterized by a complex system of noun declensions, verb conjugations, and cases (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive).
Why is German considered easy to learn for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning German:
Shared vocabulary: Both languages share a common ancestor in Proto-Germanic, leading to numerous cognates (words with similar spelling and meaning) like “Wasser” (water), “Buch” (book), and “Familie” (family).
Phonetic pronunciation: German pronunciation generally follows consistent rules, making it easier to learn how words sound compared to some other languages.
Grammar similarities: German grammar has some similarities with English, like the subject-verb-object sentence structure, easing the learning curve.
English borrows from German: English adopts some German words, offering familiarity with certain vocabulary and pronunciation aspects.
Free resources to jumpstart your German journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
Deutsche Welle: German national broadcaster offering free access to news, podcasts, and cultural programs.
Coffee Break German: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other German learners and native speakers.
9. Esperanto
Esperanto is a constructed international auxiliary language created to foster global communication and understanding among people from different linguistic backgrounds.
It offers a regular grammar system with a relatively simple structure, making it easier to learn compared to natural languages. It uses an alphabet based on the Latin script, consisting of 28 letters without diacritical marks.
Why is Esperanto considered easy to learn for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning Esperanto:
Familiar vocabulary: Many Esperanto words resemble English or other familiar languages, easing pronunciation and memorization.
Regular grammar: Compared to other languages, Esperanto grammar is remarkably consistent and logical, making it easier to grasp and master.
Learner-friendly community: The global Esperanto community is known for its welcoming and supportive nature, providing assistance and encouragement to learners.
Abundant learning resources: Free and paid resources are available online and in libraries, catering to all learning styles and preferences.
Free resources to jumpstart your Esperanto journey:
Duolingo: A fun and gamified course that introduces basic Esperanto vocabulary and grammar.
Memrise: Flashcard-based platform for effective vocabulary memorization.
Lernu: Comprehensive website with free courses, textbooks, and a vibrant online community.
Esperanto Podcast: Weekly podcast for learners featuring interviews, discussions, and news updates.
r/Esperanto: Reddit community for connecting with other learners and experienced speakers.
10. Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language primarily spoken in South Africa and Namibia. It has a simplified grammar structure compared to Dutch, with fewer grammatical genders, verb conjugations, and noun declensions.
Why is Afrikaans considered easy to learn for English speakers?
English speakers have several advantages when learning Afrikaans:
Shared vocabulary: Both languages share a common ancestor in Proto-Germanic, leading to numerous cognates (words with similar spelling and meaning) like “water” (water), “boek” (book), and “goed” (good).
Simpler grammar: Compared to Dutch, Afrikaans grammar is less complex, making verb conjugations and sentence structure easier to master.
Phonetic pronunciation: Afrikaans pronunciation generally follows consistent rules, making it easier to learn how words sound compared to some other languages.
Exposure to Afrikaans influences: English, especially South African English, borrows some Afrikaans words and sounds, offering familiarity with certain aspects of the language.
Free resources to jumpstart your Afrikaans journey:
Duolingo: Bite-sized, gamified lessons for engaging practice.
Memrise: Flashcard-based system with spaced repetition for effective vocabulary memorization.
RSG: South African national broadcaster offering free access to news, podcasts, and cultural programs.
Learn Afrikaans with AfrikaansPod101: Podcasts focusing on specific topics and daily lessons.
italki: Free community forum to connect with other Afrikaans learners and native speakers.
Remember:
This list is a general guide, and your personal experience might differ based on your learning style and dedication.
Every language has challenges and rewards, so focus on finding one that sparks your interest and motivates you to learn.
Utilize diverse learning resources and methods to cater to your preferences and enhance your language journey.
Conclusion
I have shared the top 10 Easiest Languages to Learn For English Speakers. If you are interested in any language, then I also share the free learning resource to learn the language quickly.
What is the 1 easiest language?
Afrikaans, Dutch, andSwedish are the easiest languages to learn for all users.
Which Romance language is easiest to learn?
The ease of learning a Romance language can vary based on individual preferences and linguistic background. However, for many English speakers, Spanish is often considered one of the easiest Romance languages to learn. Spanish offers consistent pronunciation rules, straightforward grammar compared to other Romance languages, and a large amount of vocabulary that shares similarities with English. These factors make Spanish accessible and relatively straightforward for English speakers to acquire proficiency.
